The Banquet Launches Campaign to Expand Westside Services

The Banquet, a Sioux Falls non-profit feeding ministry that serves meals to people living in poverty, is expanding its mission to serve more people west of Interstate- 29, in the northwest part of Sioux Falls. The Banquet currently serves nearly 200,000 meals each year in two locations to people most at risk of going hungry in our city.

This expansion is possible because of the generosity of the Delbridge family, whose gift of two acres of land on the northeast corner of Marion Road and 5th Street will allow The Banquet to build a second location to serve the needs of families living in poverty in that neighborhood.

“After much research, it was determined that the greatest need for hot, prepared meals is closest to Hayward Elementary school, where working families are struggling to provide food for their families, “ said Tamera Jerke-Liesinger, Banquet Executive Director.

The Banquet currently serves 11 meals each week, at its main location at 8th Street & Indiana Avenue and 2 meals a week, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in rented space at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds in the Nordstrom Johnson Building. Volunteers serve nearly 16,000 meals each year to guests in the rented space at the Fairgrounds.

“This wonderful gift of land will allow The Banquet to move from its temporary location at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds to a newly constructed building that will serve the needs of people living in poverty in the northwest part of our city. The Banquet is blessed to receive this absolutely amazing donation of land from the Delbridge family. This will allow our volunteers to serve their guests in the perfect location.”

A $1.6 million campaign will completely cover the cost of constructing and equipping a simple 7,000 sq. ft. building that will house a dining room, kitchen, indoor waiting area and restrooms.